IF - drifting

Wise Owl is drifting off to sleep. For Illustration Friday this week. Why are owls considered wise, anyway? Inquiring minds (like mine!) want to know, so I got this from Ask Yahoo:

"Owls are nocturnal birds and function extremely well at night. Their ability to see in the dark has elevated owls, in some cultures, to manifestations of wisdom. In Western folklore, owls are commonly associated with studious scholars and wise elders.

Perhaps the earliest known link between owls and wisdom is their association with Athena. The Greek goddess of wisdom is often depicted holding an owl.

Because of their close kinship with the night, owls are also associated with magic and witchcraft. Merlin was known to have an owl, and in the Harry Potter series, young wizards communicate by owl messengers instead of instant messengers.

Some have viewed owls as manifestations of a more sinister darkness. Ancient Romans believed the screech of an owl foretold death and that witches transformed into owls and sucked the blood from babies. Many other cultures share these fearful views."